“Yes; I am going out to the far West on a business trip, shall take Max with me, and you, too, if you care to go.”
“Care to go! wouldn’t I!” she cried, clapping her hands in delight, and half smothering him with caresses. “Oh, I think I never dreamed of anything so, so, so delightful! Papa, you are such a dear, dear father! so, so good and kind to me! Oh, I ought to be the best girl that ever was made! and if I’m not it shan’t be for want of trying.”
But tears were rolling down Gracie’s cheeks, and with a little sob she drew out her handkerchief to wipe them away.
“O Gracie, dear, I wish you could go too!” exclaimed Lulu.
“If she were only strong enough,” her father said, caressing her with great tenderness, “she too should have her choice of going or staying; but I know the fatigue of the journey would be more than she could endure.”
“I don’t want to have a journey,” sobbed Grace; “but how can I do without papa? without Maxie? and without Lulu? all gone at once?”
“But mamma and the babies will be left, and you love them dearly, I know.”
“Yes, papa, but I love Max and Lu, and oh, I love you better than anybody else, in all the world!” clinging about his neck and laying her little wet cheek to his.
“Sweet words for papa to hear from your lips, darling,” he returned, holding her close and kissing her many times, “and papa’s love for you is more than tongue can tell.”
“Then why will you go away and leave me, papa?”